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DoD Presents Record $15.6 Million to Combined Federal Campaign

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2007  Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England praised “the extraordinarily generous” Defense Department members today as he presented a check representing $15.6 million in contributions they made to the National Capital Area Combined Federal Campaign.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England (third from left) presents a check on behalf of the Department of Defense for $15.6 million to the director of the National Capital Area Combined Federal Campaign, Anthony De Cristofaro (far left). Participating in the Jan. 30ceremony are (from left) De Cristofaro; Army Brig. Gen. R. Mark Brown, program executive officer; England; Michael B. Donley, DoD director of administration and management; and Lou Torchia, DoD’s CFC director. Photo by Helene C. Stikkel(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Speaking at the annual CFC awards ceremony at the Pentagon, England thanked the DoD work force for its largest-ever CFC pledge. DoD’s goal for 2006 was to collect $13 million in CFC contributions, but its employees topped all expectations with $15.6 million in pledges, he noted.

England presented a larger-than-life check representing the contribution to Anthony De Cristofaro, director of the National Capital Area CFC campaign.

“Your fast start, strong finish and generous habits have every other federal department or agency in the community envious,” Brown told the group assembled for the ceremony. “No other agency can match you for the combined influence that your giving, enthusiasm and participation have on this community.”

England quoted the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who once said, “Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

DoD military and civilian workers alike demonstrate their willingness to help others every day, England said. He noted that they serve their nation and community professionally as well as on their own time and with their own hard-earned money.

These efforts are helping make “a better community, a better nation and a better world,” he said.

England praised the CFC effort as “a program that really sells itself” and makes people want to participate. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping others,” he said.